So much talent, so many choices

NAMBOUR coach Ben Stanley says young gun recruit Nick Selman will excel at whatever he does, but the mentor hopes a stint with the Blues can convince the teenager to focus his prodigious talents on Australian rules.

Selman, 17, is one of a handful of key recruits who will run out for Nambour today in the derby against the Caloundra Panthers in round one of the AFL South East Queensland Division 2.

The Blues have recruited smartly, bolstering their line-up with the inclusion of former Geelong and Noosa forward Danny O'Brien, premiership-winning ex-Noosa forward Travis Mills and former Maroochydore Roos Tom Booth and Sam Lyons.

You get the feeling, however, Selman is the one who excites Stanley the most.

The teenager is a rising star of both cricket and Aussie rules, having played for the state in both sports at junior level.

In Aussies rules, he has played for the Queensland under-18s and starred for Maroochydore in its AFL South East Queensland under-18 grand final win last year, bagging eight goals.

However, he has made cricket his main priority.

He played Sunshine Coast first grade in 2011 as a 16-year-old before being picked up by the Sunshine Coast Scorchers for the 2012-13 season.

After excelling for the Scorchers seconds, he was promoted to first grade for the last four rounds and would be in line to open the batting next season. He also played for Queensland at last year's under-17 national championships.

Having taught Selman at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Stanley used his relationship and the offer of a spot in the senior side to convince the teenager to come over to Nambour.

Stanley was also on the Brisbane Lions Academy coaching staff when Selman was a member before he left to concentrate on cricket.

Stanley said he would support his charge whatever his choice, but predicted Selman could carve out a career in the top flight if he chose to apply himself to Australian rules.

"Whatever Nick does, he excels at it," Stanley said.

"He's picked it up fairly well and I've been more than impressed with his ability to fit into the men's side.